“This will not stop us” 

On December 29th, 2024 the last remaining hospital in Northern Gaza was forcibly shut down by the IOF. Soldiers raided the Kamal Adwan Hospital, forcing hundreds of hospital staff and patients to leave, murdering over 50 people, and holding over 240 people captive. The IOF claims the murdered and detained are militants, including the Director of the Hospital, Hussam Abu Safiyeh. Dr. Abu Safiyeh was reportedly beaten, forced to strip and wear clothes meant for prisoners, and has not been seen nor heard from since. Although its been reported he’s being held at the infamously brutal Sde Teiman military base and detention center.
As for the hundreds of patients who were forcibly evacuated, their fates remain uncertain as other health facilities in Northern Gaza do not have the capacity to treat patients. 

Dr. Abu Safiyeh has been a beacon of hope and resistance at the Kamal Adwan Hospital. He has bravely refused numerous Israeli orders to leave the hospital. During an attack in October, hundreds were killed, including his son Ibrahim, and in November, Dr. Abu Safiyeh himself was wounded by shrapnel. But he vowed to continue treating patients stating: “This will not stop us. I was injured at my workplace, and that is an honour. My blood is no more precious than that of my colleagues or the people we serve. I will return to my patients as soon as I recover.” His presence at this hospital has not only saved countless lives with medical treatment, but has been a source of information, documenting attacks and releasing statements pleading for intervention.

The use of hospitals as battlegrounds is one of Israel’s most egregious tactics in this genocide. The intentional targeting of medical facilities, ambulances, and medical staff is a tool that the occupation uses to attempt to destroy all infrastructure to ensure life will not be able to go on for Palestinians. Despite Israel’s blatant disregard for human life, the US and other imperial nations have not batted an eye. As Genocide Joe’s term as president comes to an end, he leaves a legacy of unyielding support for the most horrific event of the 21st century. Funds, weapons, and political support continue to cross the Atlantic and Mediterranean right into Israel’s genocidal arsenal. 

There is a photo of Dr. Abu Safiyeh walking amidst the rubble toward an Israeli tank shortly before being captured​​​​​​​. The courage displayed by Dr. Abu Safiyeh and the medical staff in Gaza is beyond measure. ​​​​​​​Behind Enemy Lines joins other organizations and people across the globe calling for the release of Dr. Abu Safiyeh and all detained medical staff, the end of the bombing of hospitals, and an end to the genocide in Gaza. 

End the genocide! Free Palestine!